Abstract

This paper tends to give a review of main characteristics of a new form of Buddhism that emerged in 19th century
and was transferred, adjusted and further developed on the West. That new form of Buddhism (often named as New
Buddhism, Modern Buddhism, even Protestant Buddhism (mainly in post-colonial Asia), and Navayāna) is somewhat unique in the whole wide history of Buddhism, for it tends to merge together different schools of Buddhism, and is characterised by it's social engagement, unortodoxy, emphasis on meditation, abandoning traditional role of teacher, making new adjustments in hierarchy and organisation of sangha communities, blurring
of the traditional roles of bhikkhus and laymen, and so on...
This paper first briefly presents many forms of Asian buddhism, and afterwards analyses trends of western Navayāna
in general, and more specifically it's characteristics in Great Britain and United States